To Ensure that Coral Reefs Survive, We Have to Act Now

Coral reefs have thrived on Earth for more than 50 million years. Recently, more than 27 percent of the world’s reefs have been lost or severely damaged, and another 32 percent may be destroyed by human activities in the next 30 years. Coral reefs are threatened by the massive increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide that is changing our climate and acidifying our oceans. Increases in sea surface temperatures, rising sea levels, and more frequent and severe storms negatively impact coral reefs, leading to bleaching as well as declines in biodiversity, coastal protection, and income from reef fisheries and tourism. Chronic stresses arising from such human activities as overfishing, pollution, and coastal development greatly reduce the reef's ability to thrive. By acting now, we give reefs a fighting chance to build the resiliency they need to stave off the effects of climate change and other human-induced stresses.

Giving to CORAL is One of the Best Ways You Can Save Coral Reefs

With the generous support of our members and donors, CORAL has designed, tested, and proven the effectiveness of community-driven conservation. We know from scientific evaluation and our own surveys of marine area managers, local community members, government leaders, and other stakeholders that the CRSD approach is the best chance we have to eliminate locally generated threats and promote lasting conservation. Here are a few more specific examples of how we work to save coral reefs.

CORAL is the only international organization working exclusively to save coral reefs:

We are a member-supported nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting coral reefs from the effects of climate change and other human-induced stresses. This means we need YOU to support our work and to show your commitment to saving coral reefs by becoming a CORAL member.

CORAL produces measurable and sustainable results:

Our work is focused on both long-term and short-term projects. We make direct improvements to reefs through such projects as mooring buoy installations, which halt anchor damage from recreational boating and diving. And we forge strong partnerships between all stakeholders in a reef region: governments, businessess, conservation groups, and local residents to ensure that our coral reef protection efforts are sustainable and ongoing. Find out more about our Coral Reef Sustainable Destination (CRSD) approach and why it is so effective. Your investment in CORAL helps us protect coral reefs now and for future generations.

CORAL works through grassroots partnerships to identify and solve conservation challenges:

Coral reef destinations tend to be economically disadvantaged. Only by forming alliances among the communities, governments, businesses, and organizations that depend on reefs for food, livelihood, and protection can we ensure that conservation efforts will be effectively maintained long term. Our commitment to coral reef communities is long-standing and respectful of local cultures and traditions.

By giving to CORAL, you are not only contributing to the health of coral reefs today, but you are also investing in an innovative and adaptable team that takes an inclusive and respectful approach to building partnerships among all stakeholder groups for truly effective long-term protection.

CORAL changes attitudes and behavior through education and training:

Our Sustainable Marine Recreation workshops, Conservation in Action workshops, and CORAL Reef Leadership Network training courses produce real change in CRSD sites. When local community members and marine recreation businesses are equipped with the knowledge and tools to replace destructive practices with sustainable approaches, they become responsible stewards for the reefs, spreading knowledge to visitors and throughout the local community organically.

Your support of CORAL creates increased awareness about the urgent need to be proactive and ways we can work together for the good of our planet.

CORAL provides resources to strengthen management of marine protected areas:

Widely accepted by scientists as an effective means of promoting reef health and increased reef resiliency, marine protected areas (MPAs) are a vital focus of CORAL's work. Unfortunately, most MPAs are underfunded and understaffed in areas with few business resources. By lending our expertise to building the infrastructure of these parks in sustainable ways and connecting staff to stable funding and resources, CORAL helps MPAs become effective protectors of coral reef ecosystems.

Your donations to CORAL fund our program work, which provides support to MPAs in seven CRSD sites around the world.

CORAL creates incentives for environmentally sustainable development:

To successfully preserve coral reefs for current and future generations, we firmly believe that all sustainable practices must provide tangible benefits to the local community, whose members are the reef's strongest advocates. To stop or reduce damage to reefs from destructive human activity requires that we all work together with a common goal.

Please donate now.

Find out more about coral reefs and why they are important, about how CORAL works, and other ways you can get involved.